If you decide to use fireworks at home this Fourth of July weekend, the Lexington Fire Department has a few tips for a safe and injury-free holiday.
■ Buy fireworks only from a licensed store or stand.
■ Follow directions on the packaging. Do not combine multiple types or light many fireworks at one time.
■ Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
■ Use fireworks outdoors only, and away from buildings and vehicles.
■ Never reignite malfunctioning fireworks.
■ Keep a bucket of water or hose nearby to extinguish sparklers and malfunctioning fireworks.
■ Never throw sparklers or fireworks at other people. Stand at least 6 feet from other people while using sparklers.
■ Spectators should keep a safe distance from the fireworks shooter. The fireworks handler should wear protective glasses.
■ Do not carry fireworks in your pockets.
■ Alcohol and fireworks are a dangerous combination. Do not drink and handle fireworks.
Fireworks that have wings, fins or other parts that would cause them to fly are prohibited for general consumer use in Kentucky. Also, fireworks are illegal if they have a cautionary label bearing any of these terms: explosive, emits flaming pellets, flaming balls, firecracker, report or rocket.
"A good rule of thumb is, if it blows up or goes up, it is more dangerous and thus illegal in Kentucky," said battalion chief Marshall Griggs.
Ground and hand-held sparkling devices and other fireworks that make noise or smoke are permitted.
Volunteers needed at VA
Volunteers are needed to assist veterans at the Lexington VA Medical Center:
Volunteers will assist in the following areas:
■ Pushing patients in wheelchairs/ stretchers to and from medical appointments.
■ Assisting veterans and family members in the surgical waiting room.
■ Driving a VA van to pick up veterans in Lexington and surrounding areas to bring them to the VA for medical appointments.
Contact the VA Voluntary Service office at (859) 281-4930 or e-mail sherry.hester@va.gov for more information.
Water company awards
Kentucky American Water has awarded close to $20,000 to two Fayette County organizations through the 2010 American Water Environmental Grant Program.
The Friends of Raven Run and Hamburg Homeowners Association each were recognized as grant recipients June 24 during a presentation at McConnell Springs.
The Friends of Raven Run received a $10,000 grant to fund watershed education workshops and related materials at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary.
The workshops include use of topographical maps and Enviroscapes (three-dimensional maps) to teach children and adults about watersheds and their potential threats. The Friends of Raven Run will partner with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government's Division of Parks & Recreation on this project.
The Hamburg Homeowners Association received $9,935 for a rain garden and wetland area project to address storm water runoff in the Liberty Park area.
Working with the Urban County Government and local Boy Scouts, the association will construct a rain garden and wetland area near the park, and plant trees to improve water quality in a nearby spring and creek. The project will help filter storm water runoff and reduce erosion of the waterways, and help attract wildlife back to the area.
Club celebrates its growth
The Bridge Club of Lexington recently celebrated one year in its new expanded facility.
Planning and execution of the expansion and renovation took about six months. Members helped with the work and donated décor for the space, which grew from 2,000 square feet to 4,500.
Before the renovation, the group had space for 14 tables. It now has room for 30 or more. The group also added a dealing machine and printouts of favorite hands. Three members are developing a cookbook of favorite member recipes to raise money to buy electronic table scoring devices.
Call (859) 245-9770 or go to www.lexingtonbridgeclub.com for more information about the club.
